When you visit any course on Coursera, you'll notice that the registration button is labeled "Enroll For Free," and the start date is the same as the current date.
It looks like the screenshot below.
Once you register for a "free" course, you're asked for your payment details, which can make some people wonder if the courses are really free or a marketing trick to get you signed up.
I will explain below how Coursera pricing works, which courses are 100% free, and which courses and certificates are free but require payment to get certified.
Here is a summary of what you should know.
There are four ways to use Coursera for free.
- You can access 100% free courses on various topics, such as programming, data analysis, and digital marketing. The course list tags these courses as "Free."
- You can take advantage of the 7-day free trial offered on all Coursera Plus courses and certificates.
- You can apply for financial aid and access the courses for free or at a substantial discount.
- You can join one of the sponsored programs, giving you full access to all courses without paying.
Let's see what you can get from each of the above methods.
100% Free Coursera Courses
Coursera offers several 100% free courses. You can register for a course without providing your payment details and access the material without paying.
These are in the free courses category and are also tagged as "Free" in the courses list grid.
When you click the "Enroll Now For Free" button to register, you'll be asked if you want to access the full course material for free or pay to get the course and the ability to earn a certificate.
In other words, if you're only interested in the lessons, select "Full Course - No Certificate."
If you change your mind, you can buy the certificate (which will also give you access to the quizzes and graded assignments) at a later stage.
Coursera offers free courses in a variety of subjects. The most popular are:
When navigating the above categories, don't forget to look for the "Free" tag, as shown in the screenshot above. Note that not all courses come with a certificate. In such cases, you'll register for the course without being given the option to buy a certificate.
Free (For 7 Days) Courses With Certificates
Coursera also offers free courses with reputable certificates from companies like Google, IBM, and Meta. These certificate courses are part of a Coursera Plus subscription.
Registering for Coursera Plus gives you unlimited access to 7,000+ courses, hands-on projects, and job-ready certificate programs.
Courses that are part of Coursera Plus have the words "Included with Coursera Plus" below the registration button (as shown here).
But here is the catch. All Coursera Plus courses are free for 7 days only. To continue having access to the course material and the ability to get a certificate, you need to pay a monthly subscription.
The monthly cost for Google career certificates, IBM, and Meta is $49, and for other courses, it is $59.
On average, it takes 5 months to finish a certificate from IBM, Google, or Meta, which brings the total cost to $245. However, while registered to Coursera Plus, you can simultaneously take more than one certificate, meaning you don't have to pay a separate monthly subscription for each course you want to take.
You must provide your payment details to register for Coursera Plus Courses, but you won't be charged if you cancel your subscription before the 7-day free trial.
You can also register and cancel the subscription multiple times if you want to audit a course and are not interested in getting certified.
Some of the most popular Coursera Plus certificates include the following:
- Google Digital Marketing & Ecommerce Certificate - learn digital marketing and get a certificate from Google.
- IBM Full Stack Developer - become a full stack developer and get certified by IBM.
- Meta Social Media Marketing - the most popular Meta certification for social media marketers.
- Google CyberSecurity Professional - build skills to get a job in Cyber security.
For a full list of the most prestigious certificates on Coursera now, read our guide on Best Coursera Certificates.
Free Courses (With Financial Aid)
Another option to study Coursera courses without cost is to apply for Financial Aid. You can get up to 75% off the regular price or huge discounts.
Courses and certificates that offer financial aid, have the words "Financial aid available" next to the registration button.
You should apply for financial aid BEFORE registering for a course, and it may take up to 16 days for your application to be reviewed. Remember that your financial aid application will be canceled if you start a free trial or signup for a subscription.
Anyone can apply for a financial aid. During the application process, you'll be asked to briefly describe why you need financial aid, your learning goals, and your current education.
Access Coursera Courses For Free (Through a Sponsored Program)
Another not-so-known way to access Coursera courses and certificates for free is through a sponsored program.
Coursera has agreements with several US states and cities in the UK that allow job seekers to gain the skills to pursue a new career or continue learning.
US states include California, New York, Nevada, and more. In addition to being a resident of a participating state, there are other conditions for joining the program. You can read more information here.
How Much Do Coursera Paid Courses Cost?
Coursera-paid courses are offered for a one-time payment (starting at $9.99) for 180 days. Courses that are part of a Specialization and Professional certificate come with a subscription that costs $59 monthly.
A Coursera Plus subscription, which gives you access to the majority of the courses, costs $59 monthly. The exception is the subsidized certificates from Google, Meta, and IBM, which cost $49 monthly.
To find out the exact cost of each course or certificate, click the "Enroll Now For Free" button on the course details page.
Conclusion
Coursera certifications are legitimate and recognized by many employers around the world. They are affordable and offered by reputable companies and universities.
If you want to build skills to enter a new career or advance in your current position, Coursera courses can help you achieve your goals. We've gone through several certificates for our review, and they are definitely worth it.
